I wonder if I can inspect them all at once?

Congratulations, you have levelled your first skill!

{Inspect} is now level 2

Strength

This is a measure of your body in terms of physical strength. The higher the strength, the more you can carry, and the harder you can hit.

Vitality

This is a measure of how healthy your body is. The higher the vitality, the less illness will affect you and the more damage you can take.

Constitution

This is a measure of how robust your body is. The higher the constitution, the less damage you will take from attacks. This is one of the three attributes that did not exist before the System.

Dexterity

This is a measure of how much control you have over your body. The higher the dexterity, the finer and more exact movements you can perform.

Stamina

This is a measure of how long you can persist at physical activity. The higher the stamina, the longer you can do things like fight and run.

Agility

This is a measure of how fast you can move your body and how fast your reaction time and reflexes are. The higher the agility, the faster you can move when running or fighting, and the faster your reaction time will be to attacks. This is one of the three attributes that did not exist before the System.

Intelligence

This is a measure of how quickly you understand things, both related to the system and not. The higher the intelligence, the easier it will be to manipulate mana outside the control of an active or passive skill.

Energy

This is a measure of your mental strength and your mana reserves. The higher your energy, the less likely that you will be caught in illusions, and the more freedom you have when using active skills. Also, the higher the energy, the more mana you have to use for skills and other applications.

Perception

This is a measure of the six senses. The higher the perception, the more sensitive you will be to the world, and to mana. This is one of the three attributes that did not exist before the System.

Aodh stared at all of the information. This really was a lot to take in. Strength seems pretty standard. How hard I can punch basically. Vitality makes sense as well. Guess that's why the numbers for them are low. Although, if I don't have that disease anymore, shouldn't the numbers be standard? I'll ask later. Constitution is an interesting one. Explains the not applicable. Dexterity and stamina both seem fairly standard. I assume they follow the same logic for why the numbers are so low. Agility, another not applicable. I wonder how all of these are measured? Intelligence is a confusing one. Although, the number is quite high relative to the rest. That's probably a good thing. Energy is totally confusing, although the number is high. Perception, also confusing.

Aodh turned to look at the helper, and minimised the screen with a mental command. “I have lots of questions.” “That is to be expected. I am here to answer.” Aodh declined to mention that there were plenty of questions the helper hadn’t answered, as he decided to stay on its good side. “First of all, what is the average number in every attribute?” “The average for every attribute is ten.” “So, if my illness was cured, why are all my physical attributes abysmal? “The system only cures the illness, it does not repair the body from the effects of it. You will have to do that on your own. The System will not hold your hand.”

“Alright. What about constitution? Why didn't it exist before the system?” “Because, in general, most humans had the same level of robustness. This only applies to humans though. For other races, it will be different. Some races could have had all of the attributes before the System, some could have only had one. For humans, the System introduced a way to improve constitution. Some methods did exist to strengthen the body but if you tried them now, you wouldn't even gain one attribute point.”

“So is it the same for agility and perception then?” Broadly speaking, yes. Think of the attributes as existing before the introduction of the system but they were invisible. They could be both raised and lowered. But for the three that are mentioned, there was no method that would allow you to raise them by a significant amount that would make these attributes exist, so to speak.” Aodh nodded at the comprehensive explanation. That was quite helpful.

“So, what do I do now?” The figure moved to the side, leaving the wooden door free. “You enter the dungeon.” Aodh took a deep breath. It felt too real. “Anything else I should be aware of ?” “I've told you everything I can.” “Okay,” Aodh responded, trying to calm the nerves he felt flaring up. “Good luck. I will only be available in the safe area after you complete the floors.” Aodh nodded. He took one more deep breath, then strode up to the doors, pulled them open and stepped through, leaving them to slam closed behind him. “This is where the fun begins. I hope.”

Instantly, he had to shade his eyes from the harsh light. Fuck, where did that come from?. After waiting for his eyes to adjust, he uncovered them and looked around. He was in the middle of grassy plains, stretching as far as he could see. Trees occasionally dotted the landscape, and he could see what looked like sheep off in the distance. He turned around to look at the doors and cursed. They had disappeared. “I guess this is real.” He let out a breath and started walking. He didn't pick any specific direction, he just wanted to move.

Wow, walking without pain feels so weird. I know I'm still extremely weak, but it's better than weakness and constant pain. I should probably get used to this System thing, from what I got from the helper, this is my new life now. After bringing his status back up, Aodh noticed something he forgot to ask the helper about; his level.

Level

1

I really should have asked the helper about this. Although, if it's anything like video games, I already know how it works. I should probably inspect it anyway.

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Your level is almost a direct reflection of how powerful you are. Levels, like classes and races, are grouped into different letter grades.

Aodh stopped walking and stared at the screen. “Why couldn't the helper have told me about this? This will probably be important later.” There must be some connection between levels, classes and races. Surely it isn't a coincidence that all of them are split up using the same criteria. I bet to advance my class, I have to be at a certain level, and the same goes for my race as well. Sneaky System. Loads of new people probably don't realise that and end up messing up in some way.

He pulled his class screen back up again and looked at it. It mentioned that a mage could fight at any distance, but did not give him any indication of how he could fight. The description did mention he could manipulate mana, whatever that was, and he would have skills related to elements. This mana it talks about could be something similar to chi or whatever it's supposed to be. On a hunch, Aodh stopped walking and sat down, feeling himself relax.

Maybe I have to meditate to access this mysterious mana. He crossed his legs, closed his eyes and started breathing in deeply. He could remember some things about how to meditate from a class he went to, years ago. He signed up for it soon after he received his diagnosis, in the hope that it would have some effect. The meditation did not work. After the meditation, he tried all types of alternative medicine. They didn't work either. He straightened up and tried to clear his thoughts. That's all his teacher went on about during the classes.

After sitting there in silence for a few moments, he sighed. It wasn't working. He didn't even know how to start and he was growing impatient. Patience was never his best trait. He looked around until he spotted the sheep again and began to think. The helper had mentioned the dungeons contained creatures, and it didn't make it sound like they were nice ones. From his limited time playing video games, Aodh assumed the creatures that looked like sheep were actually some sort of monsters he needed to kill to progress.

Although, he wasn't totally sure about that. When he had inspected his level, there was no indication given about how to increase it. It could be that the bosses the helper had mentioned were the only hostile entities in the dungeon, but from her explanation, Aodh doubted it. He knew from the video games that the bosses were usually the most powerful creatures in the area. If the bosses were the most powerful, then there had to be some way to reach their power level.

Of course, Aodh was going on the assumption that he was actually meant to complete the dungeon. The System had stuck him here because he was a safety concern. If he was a safety issue for the System, why not just kill him straight away? There was also no indication that this System was a benevolent entity. It could just be some weird alien life form wanting to take over the universe, and killing anything that opposed that plan. But, it would be a very elaborate plan just to kill off one plant. If the System has the capability to alter earth, and transport every inhabitant of it to these tutorials, then surely it had the power to kill them all outright.

Aodh pushed himself to his feet, his decision made. This mana thing wasn't working out for him. If the sheep were hostile, then perhaps it could be necessary motivation to get it to work. He also believed that the System had put him in here for a reason, and didn't just kill him straight away. He believed the main goal of this dungeon was to get more powerful. So, that's what he was going to do.

As he got closer to the group of sheep, he attempted to use inspect on them.

{Inspect} has levelled up.

It is now level 3

Vicious Sheep - Level 3

Vicious Sheep - Level 1

Vicious Sheep - Level 1

Aha! I was right. They are hostile. Well, I'm guessing they are from the name. As Aodh got closer he tried to think of a plan. He knew that if it was similar to video games and that book he read a while ago, he would need to kill to progress. Killing sheep, he thought he would be okay with it. Of course, that could change after he had done it. Killing other humans, on the other hand, felt different. Perhaps it was because he had grown up in a society of humans. Maybe if he had grown up as a sheep, he wouldn't want to kill other sheep. Whatever. It was more important to survive than to ponder the ethics of killing.

Unfortunately, while the landscape he was in looked nice, if offered nothing he could use for weapons. Is a mage supposed to use weapons? I was assuming they all used spells. Hopefully, I get this mana thing sorted out quickly. As he got closer, he continued to scan the ground, even looking for small rocks he could use. Nothing. Aodh wasn’t that confident in his hand to hand combat, given his extremely reduced strength and mobility, but it looked to be the only thing he could use.

When he was about twenty metres away, the level three sheep turned around and stared at him. Aodh immediately stopped moving. The sheep was bigger than he had originally thought. Nowhere near the size of the wolf that got him into this mess, but still bigger than a normal sheep by a substantial amount. Aodh started to rethink his decision. Perhaps he could just retreat now, figure out the mana thing, and hopefully get access to some nice spell he could use to kill these creatures from far away.

The sheep made a noise and the other two turned around. Now Aodh was seriously beginning to rethink his decision. The sheep let out another, harsher noise and both level one sheep stepped forward. Aodh took a step backwards then stopped when the level three sheep mirrored him. The two other sheep stepped forward again, putting them in front of what Aodh assumed was their leader. Maybe it'll let me fight the two weakest ones first. Hopefully.

One of the level one sheep huffed, and charged, dirt flying into the air behind it. Aodh braced and crouched, wanting to take the charge head on. Surely this sheep can’t be heavy. The head of the sheep hit Aodh’s shoulder, producing a resounding crack, as both the sheep and Aodh stumbled back a few steps. The pain radiated down from his shoulder and into his back. He was sure his shoulder was broken. He fell to one knee and looked over at the sheep. It was unbalanced. Aodh heaved himself to his feet, unwilling to let this chance pass him by.

He ran at it, feeling the air rush past him. He was totally focused on the sheep. At that moment, only it and Aodh existed. He could feel everything. How his feet connected with the ground. The vibrations from the sheep stumbling around. He could feel the sheep weakening.

Just before he reached it, he planted his left foot, and guided by the weird feeling, swung with his right, aiming at the head. His shoe connected with the head of the sheep, sending it stumbling back even more. Aodh could feel the adrenaline pumping around his body with every beat of his heart. He could feel the wind surrounding him, pushing him on.

Eager to press his advantage, Aodh had no thought of retreating. As he reached it, he bent at the knees and lifted. He roared as he pulled the sheep off the ground, his whole body shaking. He could feel the earth beneath him, supporting him. He could feel every molecule of moisture in the air. He could feel everything.

At that moment Aodh could remember the log on the muddy forest floor. He could remember his weakness. His failure. His inability to even lift a simple piece of wood.

He roared, and dropped the sheep, putting the whole weight of his body behind it. Its neck hit the ground, and with a sickening snap, was still.

Aodh stood there, shaking from the adrenaline, panting from the exertion. He could feel the strange sensation fleeing from him, the sensation of being conscious of everything disappearing. He turned to look at the two sheep left and sighed. He would need to do this again. At least he knew how to beat them now, drop them on their heads.

The other level one sheep charged, but this time Aodh wanted to do something different. Just before the sheep reached him, he stepped to the side and stuck out a foot. The sheep tripped over it and crashed to the ground. Aodh laughed at the simplicity of it. He reached down and lifted the sheep up, although it was a lot harder than the last time. Repeating the manoeuvre he performed the last time, he turned it over and dropped it. Again, it crunched against the ground and lay still.

He turned back and looked at the higher levelled sheep. Perhaps buoyed by his seemingly easy victory over the two other sheep, Aodh was full of confidence. “Come at me!” Obliging him, the sheep charged. Again, Aodh stepped to the side. It didn't work. The sheep stopped and turned, before butting its head right into Aodh’s stomach. Aodh could feel the breath leave him and his feet leave the ground as he flew backwards and burrowed into the ground.

He groaned as he turned over, trying to push himself to his feet only to be met with the iron skull of the sheep, pushing him back even further.

He could remember the wolf, standing over him as the rain poured down. He could remember lying there, powerless. He had this opportunity to live properly again, and he was going to let it pass him by? All of a sudden, it felt like he was doused in cold water, both inside and out. He could perceive everything. In the back of his mind, he recognised it as the feeling from earlier, but magnified greatly in intensity.

Unthinking, he put his hands up, aimed at the sheep, and screamed.

His world was bathed in crimson as torrential flames poured from his hands, totally enveloping everything in front of him.